Pictures from Some of Our Previous Classes

A Navajo Weaving Class Like No Other: Where You Will Go

This Navajo weaving class is a seven day total immersion into weaving and modern Navajo life in the cultural center of the Navajo Nation. We stay in modern accommodations at the Quality Inn Navajo Nation Capital (In the Tony Hillerman books, it was the Navajo Nation Inn) in Window Rock, AZ. Part of the day will be devoted to learning Navajo weaving and another slice of our time will be spent exploring the weaving related attractions in the area. Our days typically start at 8 AM, and we call it quits at 9 PM. Weaving is done on a traditional loom with students seated in a chair. You may certainly sit on the floor if you would like to, but it is not a requirement. Our field trips include

Hubbell Native American Arts Auction or other auctions scheduled during class

Navajo Nation Museum

Window Rock Tribal Park

Canyon de Chelly

Two Grey Hills Trading Post

Toadlena Trading Trading Post

Visits from and with weavers

All field trips are optional but darn near impossible to resist. We carpool our private vehicles for field trips. Generally, this means that we have our company van (7 passengers) plus one car driven by a student on each trip. If you are willing to drive, we’ll be glad to help with the fuel expense. Please let us know if you’re a potential driver for your session. Carpooling means that we don’t have to rent large vans, which are difficult for some students to access and are less safe in certain road situations. We are also able to be more flexible in our scheduling, destinations and itinerary by traveling in small groups. Most people drive only once or twice during class unless they prefer driving. Don’t worry about it if you don’t want to drive. It’s never been a problem and we’ll use Navajo Transit drivers if needed!

A Full Week to Learn

Loom warping

Diagonal, interlock and dovetail joins

Elements of design

Problem solving (limited to weaving related problems)

Carding and spinning

Rug finishing

Adaptation of Navajo techniques to non-traditional patterns

Vegetal dye techniques

Navajo made looms and tools will be available for purchase. We encourage local weavers to visit us in class, and we do adapt our itinerary to invitations and opportunities which arise during the week. Spouses, friends and significant others are encouraged to come along and are very welcome to join us for our field trips. There is a charge of $20 to cover the cost of Pizza Night. Those accompanying you may need to use a separate vehicle for field trips, so please plan accordingly. Tuition is $750, which includes the use of a loom and tools for the week and enough yarn to complete your first weaving. You will also receive a digital download of our book with rights to print one copy of it if you wish. Tuition also includes one group meal (pizza, salad and dessert). Our student to teacher ratio is one to four or five compared with one to 10 or 12 students that you may experience in other venues. Our teaching day extends from 8 AM to 9 PM, hours longer than the seven hour teaching day that is standard for most other classes. Housing Cost: $75 per day single occupancy, $82 per day double. Estimated cost of meals is around $30 per day. Breakfast is included in the hotel rate (and it’s edible). If you’d like to share a room, please let us know. We’ll try to pair you up with another student. No guarantees about snoring or sleepwalking.

Getting to Window Rock

Window Rock is located on the Navajo Nation, about 150 miles west of Albuquerque, NM and about 300 miles northeast of Phoenix, Arizona. Amtrak provides train service to Gallup, NM, 24 miles away from Window Rock. The train arrives from Flagstaff, AZ at about 9 AM and from Albuquerque at about 7 PM. There is no train service from Phoenix. We will be glad to pick you up at the train with advance notice. Please note that there is no taxi service which runs between the train and Window Rock. If you are willing to provide a ride for another student from either Albuquerque or Phoenix, please let us know and we’ll try to match you up with someone who would like a ride.

Important Details: You’re Not in Chicago Anymore

Our class is held on the Navajo Nation, which is a sovereign entity. While on the Navajo Nation, we are subject to the laws of the Navajo Nation and alcohol is prohibited. The elevation in Window Rock is about 6500′ above sea level and you may find that you need a day or so to adjust to the altitude. The climate is high desert and temperatures can vary as much as 40 degrees over a 24 hour period. It is not unheard of for us to have snow during our May class and in fact, we’re kind of getting used to it. The average temperatures in May and October are 30-35 degrees at night and 60-65 degrees during the day. In August, the night time temperatures are 55-65 degrees and days average 80-90 degrees.

Your Instructors

Jennie Slick is an accomplished fourth generation (at least) Navajo weaver who specializes in Burntwater and Germantown designs. She lives in Houck, AZ with several other family members. In addition to being a full time weaver, Jennie also provides care and support for her mother, Anna Ashley, through a home health care agency whose mission is to help elderly Navajo people stay in their homes. Jennie is a patient and encouraging teacher. She is hoping to make enough money teaching to be able to afford to keep something she weaves! Jennie is assisted by Mary Walker, a bilagáana (Anglo) weaver with 40 years of experience with Navajo techniques. Mary also serves as the class coordinator and organizer.

Registration, Cancellation and Refund Policies

A deposit is required to hold a seat in any class. Tuition must be paid in full 90 days before your class begins. If you find that you cannot attend the session that you have registered for, you may move to another session at no additional cost if there is space available. You may cancel your registration prior to six months before your class and you will receive a full refund of your tuition less $75 in administrative fees. If you need to cancel within six months of your class date, your tuition will be refunded less $75 if we are able to fill your seat. If we cancel a class due to low enrollment, you’ll receive a full refund of all the fees you’ve paid or you can transfer to another session that has space. Our policy is to make this determination six months prior to the class and we will inform you immediately should we need to do it. Since your ability to attend any class session may be affected by conditions like weather, employment and medical emergencies that cannot be anticipated, we highly recommend that you purchase trip insurance to cover the portions of your trip that may not be refundable.

Upcoming Class Dates

Registration for the class can now be found at our class administration site. We do our best to keep up with registration numbers, but the classes sometimes fill quickly. Click on your preferred date to register. You can also see our whole class schedule at http://class.weavinginbeauty.com.

by Dave Cochrun on The Weaving in Beauty Navajo Weaving Class and Textile Tour

Fabulous Class

People who know me, know that I do make many recommendations. I attended the June 2015 class in Window Rock. What a fantastic experience! The introduction to Navajo culture and the Navajo Nation is very interesting. Mary Walked seems to know everyone in the land, from trading post operators to Navajo master weavers and she will introduce you to these amazing people. Her knowledge of the Navajo way is boundless and she backs it up with the history of the Navajo. Don't miss the field trips! Both Mary and Jennie are expert weavers and patient, encouraging instructors. How much you get out of this course depends on how much effort and attention you put in to it. It is a fabulous experience, not to be missed, if you have an interest in a weaving style that will connect you to the earth, sky and a warm, happy and friendly Navajo Nation. No experience necessary - just go and enjoy!

Dave, what lovely Christmas gift! Jennie and were so glad to have you and Kathy with us last June! Thank you so much for such a lovely recommendation.

Aug 14, 2012

by Stacey Browne on The Weaving in Beauty Navajo Weaving Class and Textile Tour

weaving in beauty!

I just returned from the August 2012 Weaving in Beauty: A Textile Tour. Coming from New York City and not knowing anyone who had taken the class, I really didn't know what to expect. I needn't have worried. It was a beautiful, magical class. Both the weaving classes and the field trips are thoughtfully planned and presented, leaving room for you to decide how much to participate. Mary and Jennie are an excellent team and go above and beyond for each student. I was inspired by both of them.

If the idea of this course touches your heart, I highly recommend that you register. I left Window Rock with more than I imagined and look forward to taking another class with Mary and Jennie soon.

Truly a beautiful experience!

Stacey, thank you so much for your review. Jennie and I enjoyed meeting you and showing you around our part of the world. We hope to see you again soon!

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3 Comments

Paulaon October 25, 2009 at 4:48 pm

Mary,
Now that I slipped off the fence and finally registered for the July 2010 class, I am getting really excited about it. I have been thinking of doing this for 10 years. When I moved to australia 9 years ago, I thought it might not ever happen. But the timing of this class is perfect for next year and it gives me something special to look forward to.
Cheers!

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Teri Tayloron October 15, 2009 at 2:19 pm

Mary,
I put my registration in the mail today for the July 26 – Aug. 1, 2010 class. I hope there is still an opening. I am excited to get to know you and the weavers! Thanks for the update. The web page looks great.I will be calling you in a few weeks after all the cattle are moved to the winter range and get the address and info for someone towarp my loom. Thanks for all you do!
Teri

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marshahon August 1, 2008 at 12:25 pm

WOW Mary! What a lot of info on your redesigned website. In fact, there is so much good ‘stuff’ that I don’t see your contact info. I have a question to ask about the upcoming Aug 17 workshop, but don’t have your email or cell # with me at my present location.

Just received my textile identification from Mary through order section on her website. AMAZING amount of detail, fascinating information and so helpful! She is obviously very knowledgeable and professional! I can't believe all the info and history etc she provided! Wow! Thank you so very much!!!! HL 3/18/2016

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About Weaving in Beauty

Weaving in Beauty is dedicated to expanding the appreciation and knowledge of the textiles of what is now the southwestern United States. We offer cleaning, repair and appraisal of flatwoven textiles and we coordinate classes in fiber techniques to help others learn.

As part of the weaving community, we provide a forum for discussion of the people, techniques and events encompassing this evolving art form.